Frank & Beans

Julia and I are sisters and only 13 months apart and we have been best friends since we were little.  While we were both attending different colleges, we would go back home for Christmas and unpack and have the same clothes.  We have a lot of the same likes and dislikes.  I'm so thankful for her taking care of Mom and Dad right now in Las Vegas.  She is such a good sister and a good daughter!    

Overall, 2011 was a good year although Chad and I had some rough spots.  We spent a week in April in Denver at a well known Repdroductive Clinic and it was there we learned that that we would never be able to conceive bioligical children.  Let me tell you, we were absolutely devasted!  Through this pain though, we did have some excitement.  Chad and I are now moving on to adoption. It's not a "last step" or a "giving up" for us, it's a bright new beginning. It's something we've discussed and desired since before getting married. I've witnessed how amazing adoption is through my brother's  experience and it's only solidified how much we want to build our family through it. We always pictured having a child of our own first and then adopting but the plans we make for ourselves don't often seem to be the plans God makes for us. It's a hard pill to swallow, but in the end, hindsight is usually pretty dang clear.

In August, we took a vacation to San Francisco and to visit my brother and nephew in Modesto, CA.  After a few days there I learned my mom was in the hospital back home with kidney problems.  We were concerned but not too worried as she has had some issues with her kidneys over the years.  Well, when we got back, she was still in the hospital and learned that she had breast cancer.  I spent September going to doctors appointments with her and my dad and we learned that it was very advanced-Stage IV.  It was been a very emotional and difficult few months with her illness.  She has been in very good spirits lately and we're all doing our best to deal with everything. 

Despite the tough moments, we did have some positive things happen.  We traveled to CA for vacation and SD twice for motorcycle trips (Sturgis and the SD Statwide Ride).  I was able to spend a lot of time with my siblings, nephew and nieces who all live out of state.  We paid off a lot of debt (including our cars, motorcycle and student loans) and are very close to finishing our basement.  We bought an enclosed trailer.  Also, I celebrated my five year anniversary as a lawyer and we helped Chad's parents celebrate 40 years of marriage.  We cemented our plan to adopt a child and attended an adoption workshop in September.  In January 2012, we should have everything finalized and be a waiting family.  I hope in 2012 that we have the opportunity to be parents.  We are very hopeful for good things to come!  Cheers!!

Quiche

I made one of my favorite foods for supper tonight-quiche!  I love it and Chad has come to like it over the years.  I skip most of the veggies so he'll eat it!  It's so easy to make, just mix up 4 eggs, cream/milk/half & half and whatever you want in it.  I made it with ham and cheese tonight.  Throughout the years, this is one of the items I had my mom make more me when I got to pick what was for supper.  She generally served it with asparagus and hollandaise sauce.

Love

I love quotes and I thought this one was hilarous!

Christmas Decorations!

One of my hobbies is interior design.  I love watching HGTV and reading decorating magazines.  I thought I would take a few photos of my Christmas decorations this year!  I love having the house all sparkly! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!  We opened a few presents last night after the movie.  I am such a lucky girl.  My sister Juliie gave me a new pair of Toms shoes, a light for my nook and a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble.  Chad gave me a new backpack for my camera, some comfy pants and shirt and a gift certificate to Victoria Secret.  I must have been a good girl this year.  Anyways, as I looked under I tree I felt so blessed to be where we are today.  Our hope is that by this time next year we have a little one to share all our CHristmas traditionas with.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Tonight, Chad and I are going to the movies!  It's such a treat for me because it seems as though we hardly ever make it to a movie together since we have Netflix at home and I'm more into the Chick Flicks and he likes action movies.  However, I've convinced him to see the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo tonight.  It was originally a book that has been adapted into a movie.  I love to read and I really enjoyed the series.  In Fact, I just re-read all of them the past few weeks! 

Tomorrow we head west to be with Chad's parents for Christmas.  My family is gathering in Las Vegas.  I wish I could be there but it's nice to spend time with Kathy and Simon.

Christmas Party

Today, both Chad and I have our office Christmas parties.  I'm bringing a Cheesecake Factory Reeses Peanut Better Cup Cheesecake!  Yummy!  I love this time of year.  Tomorrow, we're be at the NDSU playoff football game.  Go Bison!

My First Post!

Chad and I are so excited/nervous/scared/happy/amazed to be starting the adoption process.
we know this road is going to be long
we know it's going to be bumpy.
we aren't scared of a little off-roading.
we are ready.

and this is our story!